This Central Boiler outdoor wood boiler review includes information about the brand’s EPA certified residential models. Features and Central Boiler costs are included.
If you’re just beginning research on wood furnaces and boilers, then our Outdoor Wood Boilers and Furnaces Guide is a great place to start. The comprehensive guide includes general information about how these systems work with hydronic/boiler and forced air indoor systems and how they can meet your home’s hot water needs too. Features, performance and cost data are included.
Like competitor Heatmor, Central Boiler is a Minnesota company. It began in 1984, and today is recognized as one of the best outdoor wood furnace brands. Boilers are manufactured in Central Boiler’s 300,000 square foot modern production facility.
EPA Certified Residential Boilers
Central Boiler makes two EPA-certified outdoor wood series, the best-selling Classic Edge Titanium HD Series furnaces and the E-Classic furnaces.
Both are called furnaces, and that can be confusing. The term “furnace” is used for both boilers like these and for units that burn wood to create hot air for the indoor forced air system.
This review focuses on the Classic Edge and E-Classic. We briefly mention Central Boiler non-residential wood, coal and biomass units below.
How Central Boiler Compares with Other Brands
When evaluating outdoor wood furnaces, Central Boiler stands out among its competitors in several key aspects. Let’s examine how it compares with other major brands in the market:
Build Quality and Durability
Central Boiler’s units are constructed with titanium-enhanced stainless steel, which offers superior corrosion resistance compared to the standard stainless steel used by many competitors like Hardy and HeatMaster. The company’s proprietary Ripple Top™ design also provides better heat transfer efficiency than conventional flat-top designs found in brands like Crown Royal and WoodMaster.
Efficiency Ratings
The E-Classic series from Central Boiler achieves up to 92% efficiency, placing it among the highest in the industry. This compares favorably to: – Crown Royal: 78-85% efficiency – HeatMaster: 80-87% efficiency – Hardy: 75-83% efficiency
Price Point and Value
While Central Boiler units typically come with a higher initial cost (ranging from $6,000 to $13,000) compared to budget brands like WoodMaster ($4,500-$9,000), they often prove more economical in the long run due to: – Lower fuel consumption – Reduced maintenance requirements – Longer operational lifespan – Better warranty coverage
Dealer Network and Support
Central Boiler maintains the largest dealer network in North America, with over 500 authorized dealers. This extensive coverage surpasses competitors like: – Hardy: approximately 200 dealers – Crown Royal: around 150 dealers – HeatMaster: about 180 dealers
This larger network ensures better availability of parts and service support for customers.
Warranty Coverage
Central Boiler offers one of the most comprehensive warranty packages in the industry: – 25-year limited warranty on the firebox – 10-year warranty on the heat exchanger – 5-year warranty on electrical components
Most competitors offer shorter warranty periods, typically ranging from 10-20 years on the firebox and 3-5 years on other components.
Environmental Compliance
Central Boiler’s E-Classic models meet or exceed EPA Phase 2 emissions requirements, with some models achieving emissions as low as 0.32 pounds per million BTUs of heat output. This performance sets them apart from many competitors who struggle to meet these stringent environmental standards while maintaining high efficiency.
While each brand has its merits, Central Boiler consistently ranks among the top performers in most key categories, particularly in build quality, efficiency, and support infrastructure. The higher initial investment often translates to better long-term value for homeowners seeking a reliable and efficient outdoor wood furnace solution.
Central Boiler Outdoor Furnace Features
These are full-featured units that provide versatile heating for your home, outbuildings, domestic water, pool, spa and more.
Domestic Hot Water Heating
Your wood boiler can easily supply your home’s hot water needs. Water from the boiler doesn’t mix water in your pipes.
With the installation of a water-to-water heat exchanger like a plate exchanger, heat from the outdoor wood boiler (OWB) is transferred into the water circulating through your water heater and indoor pipes.
Gasification
Gasification is the process of burning the smoke vapor that is released when wood burns. The smoke is a fuel that contains a lot of heat that would otherwise be wasted. Gasification is also called secondary combustion.
All Central Boiler models for residential use are gasifiers. The technology allows them to burn efficiently enough to pass the EPA certification.
The process of gasification is fully explained in our Wood Furnace Buying Guide and in this video from Central Boiler.
Gasification wood boilers use up to 50% less wood than wood furnaces not approved by the EPA.
Stainless Steel Firebox
The Classic Edge Series uses stainless steel in the firebox to prevent corrosion. This is necessary because highly-corrosive carbonic acid is a byproduct of wood burning. The stainless steel is strengthened with titanium for durability.
Size Options
BTU ranges are from 170K to 245K, but the water capacity range is larger – 150 to 410. This means you’ll be able to fit a furnace to your needs. Need for water capacity goes up with distance to your home, heating more than one location (home, garage, second home, outbuildings, pool, hot tub) and heating domestic hot water.
Gas Ignition Option
The E-Classic Series offers an options gas-fired wood ignition kit that eliminates the hassle of manually starting your furnace.
Spray-on Urethane Insulation
There are several advantages to spray insulation. It is airtight, waterproof and keeps its insulation value (R-value) over time. Fiberglass doesn’t have these properties.
Wi-Fi
Central Boiler’s FireStar combustion controller, “monitors all functions of the furnace and optimizes the gasification process automatically.” The FireStar is Wi-Fi enabled for monitoring and controlling the furnace from any computer or mobile device.
Color Options
Central Boiler has four two-tone color options including one using REALTREE camo.
25-Year Warranty
Both series are backed with a 25-year warranty covering the firebox and water jacket. The warranty must be registered at the time of installation for you to receive full coverage.
Where to Find Central Boiler Furnaces
Central Boiler has one of the largest networks of distributors of any brand. Here is the company’s Dealer Locator.
Model Analysis
The following table summarizes the Central Boiler Classic Edge and E-Classic models, their capacity and other features.
| Model | Classic Edge 350 | Classic Edge 550 | Classic Edge 750 | E-Classic 1450 | E-Classic 3250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1,350lbs | 1,560lbs | 2,018lbs | 2,110lbs | 3,240lbs |
| BTU Output | 170K | 178K | 240K | 200K | 245K |
| Heating Area (sq.ft.) | 2,000 sq. ft. | 2,200 sq. ft. | 3,500 sq. ft. | 2,500 sq. ft. | 3,500 sq. ft. |
| Water Capacity | 150G | 205G | 330G | 200G | 410G |
| Fuel | Wood only | Wood only | Wood only | Wood only | Wood only |
| Firebox Size | 10 cu. ft. | 14 cu. ft. | 24 cu. ft. | 15 cu. ft. | 32 cu. ft. |
| Firebox Length | 28 inches | 33 inches | 37 inches | 32 inches | 40" |
| Workmanship | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years |
| Corrosion | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years |
We’ve completed tables for each of the major outdoor wood boiler brands, and they make brand comparison very easy.
Best 7 Outdoor Wood Furnaces Reviews and Buying Guide
Other Central Boiler Furnaces
Central Boiler makes units that burn corn/pellets or do not meet EPA regulations. They’re called non-residential and commercial furnaces.
Maxim M255 PE corn and wood pellet furnace: Also called a biomass furnace, this unit has a 90G capacity. An 11-bushel, 600lb hopper feeds the furnace. It’s a good choice where corn or wood pellets are abundant.
Classic Titanium Series wood furnaces: Available in 4 models from 140G to 764G. These are traditional wood burners, but not efficient enough for EPA certification.
Forge Outdoor coal furnaces: 150G/150,000 BTU and 210G/350,000 BTU models are available for use in coal country. Some states allow burning wood in coal stoves. Check with state regulations before burning wood in a coal stove.
Central Boiler Furnace Prices
Prices vary from one dealer to another, so shop around when you can. Also, the cost of living where you live will affect costs.
| Model | Furnace Only | Supplies & Installation | Total Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Edge 350 | $8,200-$8,750 | $600-$2,000 | $8,800-$10,750 |
| Classic Edge 550 | $9,950-$10,700 | $750-$2,250 | $10,700-$12,950 |
| Classic Edge 750 | $11,800-$12,600 | $800-$2,400 | $12,675-$15,000 |
| E-Classic 1450 | $10,400-$10,750 | $700-$2,200 | $11,100-$12,950 |
| E-Classic 3250 | $15,875-$16,200 | $900-$2,700 | $16,775-$18,900 |
Installation costs vary by how you use the boiler – just heat, heat and hot water, multiple buildings – and what type heat exchangers are needed.
Also, Central Boiler made a Classic Edge Series that does not have a titanium/stainless firebox. While not in production, many are still available from local dealers at a cost of $1,500 to $2,200 less than Titanium Series models.
Rebates
EPA-certified wood furnaces are considered high-efficiency heating units, and wood is a renewable resource.
As a result, you might find rebates and credits from your state. Your local wood furnace retailer should be aware of rebates. You can also call your state’s energy office or search the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSire).
Get the Best Price on a Central Boiler Furnace
There are several ways to lower your cost. State rebates are a good start.
Dealers often lower prices by 10% to 25% to clear inventory during the spring and summer.
Shop around for the best price, but pricing is quite competitive. First, most manufacturers set an MSRP that most dealers stay at or below. Secondly, the dealers know that you might also be considering a conventional furnace for your home, and their cost is much lower.
We don’t recommend trying to save money on installation. You don’t want an installer cutting corners or safety measures to give you a lower price and still make a profit. Find an experienced installer who will do the job right. It will save you money on repairs down the road.
Doing some of the work yourself can save you money. Your furnace will need a concrete pad of the proper size and 4” to 8” thick. Mixing bags of concrete onsite and leveling the pad with a 2×4 can be easy. Tutorials like this video are available.
You could also hand-dig the trench for the underground supply and return pipes.
Experienced DIY enthusiasts can save all the labor cost of installation by installing the furnace. Most wood boiler manufacturers have installation manuals and how-to videos for you to follow.
Join the conversation! If you own a wood boiler, tells us the brand and model, and give us your review.
If you purchase a unit, our readers would appreciate hearing brand/model/cost information and your review.
